Yousuf, Razzaq back in Pakistan’s Test squad

September 8th, 2009 KARACHI - Pakistans Cricket Board (PCB) Tuesday allowed all-rounder Abdul Razzaq to sign a contract with Kolkata Knight Riders for next years Indian Premier League (IPL). PCB officials had a meeting with Razzaq at the board headquarters in Lahore, and after that chairman Ijaz Butt allowed the cricketer to join the Knight Riders.

August 23rd, 2009 KARACHI - Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq is disappointed after being dropped from the national squad and ignored for the ICC Champions Trophy, but has vowed to make a come back soon. Razzaq, who lost his place to Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, said he had regained his rhythm and was looking forward for the Champions Trophy to cement his place in the national squad.

August 12th, 2009 KARACHI - Pakistan captain Younis Khan has defended Mohammad Yousuf in spite of his below-par showing in the recently-concluded one-day series against Sri Lanka, saying that the premier batsman will take his time to adjust to the demands of international cricket. Younis said Wednesday that Yousuf has returned after a gap of over a year, and that there is a big difference between playing the Indian Cricket League (ICL) and international cricket.

July 24th, 2009 LAHORE - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has awarded a 'C' category central contract to all-rounder Rana Naved-ul-Hasan. Naved, who has also been included in the 16-member squad for the one-day series against Sri Lanka left for the island nation along with five other players on Friday (today), The Dawn reports.

July 6th, 2009 KARACHI - Comeback man Mohammad Yousuf rated his century against Sri Lanka in the Galle cricket Test as the most valuable knock in his career. After hitting a superb ton on his return to international cricket on the second day of the first Test Sunday, the Pakistani batsman vowed to continue his prolific run.

June 29th, 2009 KARACHI - Six months after being dumped as Pakistan captain, senior all-rounder Shoaib Malik is struggling to keep his place in Pakistans Test line-up. According to sources, Pakistan team management is finding it increasingly difficult to offer Malik a place in the playing line-up as a genuine all-rounder and might play him as an opener in the first Test against Sri Lanka starting in Galle from July 4.

June 27th, 2009 LAHORE - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has awarded mid-term central contracts to all rounder Abdul Razzaq and middle order batsman Mohammed Yousuf, both of whom had terminated their respective contracts with the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) earlier. While, Razzaq made a dream come back in the Pakistan team through his balanced all round performance in the ICC Twenty20 Championship, Yousuf still has to prove a point.

June 26th, 2009 KARACHI - Pakistan captain Younis Khan Friday asked his team to put behind the celebrations of their World Twenty20 triumph and focus on the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka that begins June 27. We will have to leave our World Cup win behind and focus on what is a very tough assignment against Sri Lanka, Younis, who led Pakistan to the World Twenty20 championship win in England earlier this month, said at a reception hosted by Habib Bank Limited (HBL).

June 22nd, 2009 LONDON - The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced a 15-member squad for the forthcoming Sri Lanka tour. Shahid Afiridi has been dropped due to an ankle injury, while experienced batsman Mohammad Yousuf and veteran bowler, Abdul Razzaq make their comebacks to the team following an extended hiatus due to their engagement with the "banned" ICL in India.

June 13th, 2009 LAHORE - Former Pakistan captain, Moin Khan, has urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to allow all rebel ICL players to play for the country once again. Referring to the return of all-rounder Abdul Razzaq in the national squad, Khan expressed the hope that the PCB would allow more ICL players to represent the country.

June 11th, 2009 LONDON - Pakistani all-rounder Abdul Razzaq has been allowed to play in the ongoing World Twenty20 tournament, a media report said Thursday. The 29-year-old all-rounder will replace injured Yasir Arafat in Pakistan's World Twenty20 squad, Geo TV said.

June 11th, 2009 KARACHI - Pakistan have made a special request for including seasoned all-rounder Abdul Razzaq in their 15-man squad for the World Twenty20 as a replacement for Yasir Arafat, who is down with a hamstring injury. Sources in the Pakistan camp told IANS Wednesday that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) in a bid to get Razzaq included in its touring party for England ahead of the teams Super Eight game against Sri Lanka June 12.

June 4th, 2009 LAHORE - The Pakistan Cricket Board has asked fast bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan to submit a new copy of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) obtained from the Indian Cricket League (ICL) regarding his termination of contract with the rebel league. "The faxed copy which Rana Naved sent to the Board has a very poor print that was why the PCB has asked him for a new copy," The Nation quoted the PCB's Human Resources (HR) chief Wasim Bari, as saying.

May 30th, 2009 LAHORE - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has declared middle order batsman Mohammad Yousuf and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq eligible for selection after both players terminated their respective contracts with the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL). "Both players have resigned from the Indian Cricket League (ICL) and the ICL management has accepted the duo's resignations.

May 29th, 2009 KARACHI - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Friday cleared its former Indian Cricket League (ICL) players Mohammad Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq for national duty. The PCB said that since both players had quit the ICL, they were cleared to play for Pakistan.